Saturday, April 25, 2026
Home Blog Page 1335

Northwest India to witness rise in temperature

New Delhi (NVI): The plains of northwest India could experience a rise in their maximum daytime mercury levels for the next few days, according to weather forecasters.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), isolated parts over the northwest may also experience wet conditions, as rains and thunderstorms have been forecasted over parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and West Uttar Pradesh.

However, the weather conditions over the region are likely to get drier, as the induced cyclonic circulation over north Rajasthan fades.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, light drizzle was also witnessed in Delhi-NCR region.

While the eastern and southeastern states of Odisha, Telangana, interior Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh are likely to witness a gradual rise in their maximum daytime temperatures.

Apart from that, the west Indian states of Maharashtra and Gujarat will mark an increase in their respective daytime temperatures.

Meanwhile, in Delhi, the minimum temperature today was recorded at 17 degrees Celsius.

However, the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to rise over the next few days, according to IMD.

Covid-19 cases in India rise to 1,397, death toll at 35

New Delhi (NVI): With 146 new infections reported across the country in the last 24 hours, the total number of COVID-19 cases surged to 1,397 today, while the death toll due to the pandemic rose to 35.

The Union Health Ministry in its latest data said that the active number of COVID-19 cases stands at 1,238.

There was a total of 32 fatalities due to the disease till yesterday. Three more deaths- two in Punjab and one in Maharashtra were reported today.

As per the latest Health Ministry data, 123 people have been either cured or discharged while 1 case has been migrated so far.

Looking at the state-wise toll, then Maharashtra has reported most deaths so far at 9. Gujarat has reported six deaths, while Karnataka, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh have 3 deaths each. Delhi, West Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir have reported 2 deaths each. Kerala, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh have recorded single deaths each.

Kargil woman under quarantine gives birth to baby boy

Mubashir Bukhari

Kargil (NVI): Lady luck smiled upon a woman under quarantine in Kargil, when she went into her labour pain. Hours later, a healthy baby boy was throbbing with life in her lap at District Hospital Kargil.

The lady from Sanko area of Kargil, along with her family members were kept under quarantine center after two of her close relatives were tested positive for coronavirus.

But on March 28, the lady developed labour pain and was shifted to District Hospital Kargil where she gave birth to a baby boy.

Liqayat Ali, a volunteer from Islamia School came to the rescue of woman and helped her to reach the hospital along with one local girl.

“All her family members were under quarantine. We rushed her to the hospital and purchased clothes and medicines. Since everything was shut, I went home and brought traditional food which we usually give to the lactating mother. Besides, we also arranged clothes for baby,” he said.

Senior doctor at Government Hospital Kargil, Dr Vilayat Ali told NVI said one pregnant lady who had completed 12 days in quarantine gave birth to healthy baby boy at the hospital. “The lady had already tested negative for COVID 19 twice, but as a precautionary measure, we took samples of both mother and baby and reports are awaited,” Ali said.

Ali said now the lady and her family members have completed the 14-day mandatory period and have been released from quarantine center. “They have been sent to their home village, where they will be kept under home surveillance period,” he said.

Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary, deputy commissioner, Kargil said that this lady had a normal delivery.

“Both the mother and her baby are doing fine,” he said.

India warns against use of tourist visa for religious activities

New Delhi (NVI): In the wake of controversial Tableeghi gathering at Nizamuddin shrine, India today warned foreigners travelling here on tourist visas against indulging in religious activities, as authorities started hunting for those who attended the congregation despite lockdown.

The Union Home Ministry said if any foreigner on tourist visa is found indulging in religious activity, he/she will be treated as a visa violator.

The Ministry, in a statement, said strict action will be taken against foreigners who attended the Nizamuddin Markaz event in Delhi, in case they are found guilty of violating visa rules.

“Usually, all the foreign nationals visiting India as a part of Tabligh team come on the strength of tourist visa. MHA had already issued guidelines that they should not indulge in missionary work on tourist visa. State Police would be examining categories of visas of all these foreign TJ workers and take further action in case of violation of visa conditions,” the ministry said in a statement.

The government’s action came after it was found that a large Tableegi congregation had taken place at Nizamuddin shrine and many people got infected with coronavirus there.

At least six people from Telangana, who attended the congregation, died due to coronavirus.

Apart from that, the government has also banned tourist visas to Tableegi activists from abroad. No foreigner coming on tourist visa will now be allowed to conduct Tableegi activities.

Moving forward in this direction, MHA has also asked the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to seeks details of Tableegi activists who apply for visa. These would include their details of accommodation in India, return ticket and finance.

Tableeghi Jamaat workers, both foreigners as well Indians, indulge in Tabligh activities (Chilla) across the country throughout the year, MHA said in a statement.

Various nationals, particularly from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan come for Tabligh activities, it said.

All such foreign nationals normally report their arrival at Tabligh Markaz at Banglewali Mosque in Hazrat Nizamuddin in New Delhi. From here, they are detailed for Chilla activities to different parts of the country.

The Ministry also said that approximately 2100 foreigners had visited India for Tabligh activities from January 1 onwards this year.

“While approximately 824 of them, as on March 21, were dispersed in different parts of the country, approximately 216 of them were staying at Nizamuddin Markaz. Others might have left the country before the lockdown,” it added.

24 of total 97 Covid cases in Delhi from Nizamuddin event: Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today said that the Nizamuddin Markaz event was an irresponsible act as 24 out of total 97 COVID-19 cases in the national capital are from the religious gathering that took place around mid-March.

Speaking at a virtual press conference here, Kejriwal slammed the organisers of the event saying that it was criminal in nature, considering the serious outbreak of deadly disease.

He said action will be taken in this regard and that his government has already written to Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal recommending the registration of an FIR against the organisers.

He also said that if any official is held responsible for a lapse in connection with the Nizamuddin event, then strict action will be taken against him/her.

Meanwhile, the Delhi CM also said there has been no community transmission of coronavirus in Delhi currently. “41 have travel history to foreign countries and 22 are family members of foreign travelers. 10 cases yet to be verified. No local community transmission right now,” he said adding that there are 89 active cases of COVID-19 in national capital at present.

Regarding the Nizamuddin gathering, he said that out of those who attended the event, 441 people have been admitted to hospitals while 1,107 have been quarantined.

Yesterday, Delhi police sealed off a major area in Nizamuddin where several people showed symptoms of coronavirus after taking part in the gathering around mid-March.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also taken cognizance of the fiasco, saying that the Government committed to identify, isolate and quarantine COVID-19 positive Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) workers in India post their congregation in Nizamuddin.

“Government committed to identify, isolate and quarantine #COVID19 positive Tabligh Jamaat (TJ) workers in India post their congregation in Nizamuddin, Delhi. So far, 1339 TJ workers shifted to quarantine facilities & hospitals. So far, 1339 TJ workers shifted to quarantine facilities & hospitals,” MHA said in a tweet.

“Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) shared details of foreign and Indian Tabhlig Jamaat (TJ) workers in India with all States on March 21, 2020, after COVID-19 positive cases among these workers surfaced in Telangana,” the MHA said in a statement.

20 areas declared red zones in Kashmir amid Covid-19 outbreak

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): Following the detection of more and more positive COVID-19 from Jammu and Kashmir, The UT Government today declared 20 villages/areas as ‘red zones’, and issued orders that entry to these areas will remain restricted.

These areas fall in Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pulwama, Shopian, Bandipora and Budgam districts of Kashmir.

In Srinagar, Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng areas have been declared as red zones. In Budgam district, only Chadoora falls under this category.

In Bandipora district, Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin have been declared as red zones.

Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama, Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama district, Waskura in Ganderbal district and Sedew and Ramnagri areas in Shopian district have been declared as red zones.

Earlier, five villages in Manjakote tehsil of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district were declared as red zones and their surrounding villages as buffer zones to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the government has said that several areas surrounding the location of COVID-19 cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, and Rajouri in the interest of controlling the spread of the dreaded disease.

“Aggressive contact tracing of positive cases key to control spread of #Coronavirus. Yesterday several areas surrounding location of positive cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Rajouri,” tweeted Principal Secretary of Information Department, Rohit Kansal.

“This is purely in the interest of controlling the spread of #coronavirus, and helping identification of contacts on real-time basis,” Kansal, who is also the JK government spokesman, said.

“Inconvenience so caused is temporary in nature but benefits will be immense. Request all to cooperate and take it in the right spirit,” he added.

Till now, 55 persons have tested positive for coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir, with two deaths and two recovery cases.

Coronavirus outbreak: Over 2,000 Indians stranded in Sri Lanka

New Delhi (NVI): Over 2,000 Indians are stranded in Sri Lanka, which has reported one death and 120 positive cases so far due to coronavirus.

The Indian nationals are among the 16,900 foreign tourists stuck in Sri Lanka due to the lockdown imposed by the government, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism and Development Authority.

The island nation stopped flight arrivals in all its airports on March 17. The country has been on a near-total shutdown and travel between districts has also been banned.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Health Promotion Bureau said today that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has risen to 120.

The coronavirus contagion has claimed the life of a 65-year-old patient, who had diabetes and renal health complications, according to the country’s Health Ministry officials.

Govt launches ‘Stranded in India’ portal to help foreign tourists

500 Germans stranded in India were flown back last week

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Tourism has launched ‘Stranded in India’ portal to help foreign tourists stuck in various parts of the country due to COVID-19 lockdown.

The online portal, which is also available on incredibleindia.org, will help such foreign nationals in finding the information they may need to stay safe and travel back home.

“Stranded in India because of the #COVID19? Visit http://strandedinindia.com, an initiative of the Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India to find the information you may need to stay safe & also travel back home. The link is also available on http://incredibleindia.org,” the Ministry tweeted today.


The country is currently under a 21-day lockdown to combat coronavirus from spreading. The lockdown kicked in on March 25 and will go on till April 14.

Countries around the world are trying to fly out their citizens who are stranded amid the coronavirus pandemic. On Thursday last, over 500 German citizens, who were stranded in India due to the nationwide lockdown, were flown back to their country.

Annual renewable energy investments must double by 2030: IRENA

New Delhi (NVI): The world has invested USD 3 trillion in renewables over the last 10 years, but annual investments in this sector must double by 2030 to ensure a sustainable future, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Since 2010, Renewable Energy (RE) has advanced to the center-ground of global energy and development policy. Renewables have become the world’s primary source of new power capacity, outpacing all other forms of new generation put together, says the global agency in a report.

In this context, a booklet produced by IRENA for its 10th Assembly charts global advances over the past decade and outlines key objectives for a new Decade of Action. The graphs and data used in the booklet underline the progress achieved and illuminate the road ahead for renewables.

In its report, IRENA says that renewable energy solutions are affordable, readily and deployable at scale. It’s possible to scale up renewables, achieve sustainable development and meet key climate goals, it says.

Here are the key findings by IRENA with respect to clean power generation:

• Renewables can become the world’s primary source of power generation.

• Renewable power could become the most competitive option based on costs alone.

• Off-grid renewables will help reduce the world’s energy access gap.

• The global energy transformation means net gains in job creation.

• Innovation will accelerate the global energy transformation.

• Renewables must grow faster to meet climate goals.

• Annual investments must double by 2030 to ensure a sustainable future.

10-yr-old boy among 6 tested positive for COVID19 in Kashmir, toll 55

Mubashir Bukhari

Srinagar (NVI): A 10-year-old boy is among six persons who were tested positive for coronavirus in Kashmir today, taking the total number of cases in Jammu and Kashmir to 55.

“6 new positive cases confirmed in Kashmir Division. All contacts of previous positive cases. Meanwhile contact tracing continues in both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions. Please cooperate. Let’s #Fightittogether,” J&K Spokesperson, Rohit Kansal said in a tweet.

The boy hailing from Srinagar’s Eidgah area has been admitted at SKIMS, Soura with no travel history. The boy had come into contact with a person affiliated with Tableegi Jamat who was suffering from coronavirus when he visited a mosque in the area.

A family member of the confirmed case said that the boy had shaken hands with a religious preacher in Eidgah mosque and after that, he developed symptoms.

Two other persons, who have tested positive are presently admitted at JNLM hospital Srinagar.

Yesterday, 11 persons were tested positive for COVID-19 including a doctor in Jammu.

Meanwhile, the government has said that several areas surrounding the location of COVID-19 cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, and Rajouri in the interest of controlling the spread of the dreaded disease.

“Aggressive contact tracing of positive cases key to control spread of #Coronavirus. Yesterday several areas surrounding location of positive cases or untraced contact cases had to be sealed in Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, Shopian, Rajouri,” tweeted Kansal.

“This is purely in the interest of controlling the spread of #coronavirus, and helping identification of contacts on real-time basis,” Kansal, who is also Principal Secretary, Planning, J&K.

“Inconvenience so caused is temporary in nature but benefits will be immense. Request all to cooperate and take it in the right spirit,” he said.

1...1,3341,3351,336...1,586Page 1,335 of 1,586

MUST READ